YCC Commission and Public Meetings
The YCC is governed by a nine member commission. Five commissioners are appointed by the Governor and four are state agency designees. The Commission meets quarterly or as needed. All meetings conform to the Open Meetings Act.
Next Commission Meeting: Tuesday, June 18 at 9:30 am, location to be announced. Members of the public may attend virtually. Final agenda, location and how to join online will be posted by Thursday, June 13, 2024.
Jump to Meeting Minutes.
Amanda Getchell Stevenson, Commission Chair & Governor Appointee – Amanda is a New Mexico native, who graduated from the New Mexico State University Journalism and Communications Department. Amanda is a Director of Marketing of Terra Vera, a New Mexico-based Agriculture Technology company with a focus on sustainability. She is an expert on social media strategy, compliance, and community management for various industries.
Carmen Austin, Vice-Chair and Governor Appointee –Carmen is Diné (Navajo Nation) from northern Arizona. She is the Climate Change Specialist for the New Mexico Forestry Division where she is responsible for implementing strategies of the Forest Action Plan that incorporate climate change science and adaptation and mitigation measures into forestry practices. She collaborates with private forest landowners on watershed protection. Previously she was the Woody Biomass Program Manager in Santa Fe and the District Forester on the Las Vegas District. Carmen also served as YCC Interim Director in 2019. She is a graduate of Northern Arizona University, School of Forestry and lives in Glorieta Pass with retired NM State Park Ranger Rick.
Alicia Littlebear, Governor Appointee – Alicia Littlebear is from Tamaya (Santa Ana Pueblo), Mvskoke Creek, Absentee Shawnee, and Euchee Nations. She has resided in New Mexico her whole life. Alicia believes we can connect back to the land by running. She has been a part of Bears Ears Prayer Run Alliance, Run to Chaco and other prayer runs to protect, pray, and bring awareness to these sacred sites. She is happy to serve on the YCC Board.
Marlene Yanez, Governor Appointee – Marlene is a Fronteriza, a woman from the border, and good food advocate who lives in Sunland Park, NM. She has worked in the non-profit sector for over a decade and currently works at La Semilla Food Center as a Program Director for the Community Education Program. Her work endeavors to create innovative and culturally inclusive food justice programs for youth and adults in the Paso del Region in Dona Ana County and El Paso, TX.
Ron Hannan, Governor Appointee – Ron received a formal education in natural resource management from Ohio State and Utah State Universities, providing the background for a satisfying 31 1/2 year careeer with the US Forest Service. As a child, he gained an informal outdoor education by roaming the hills and woodlots of south-central Ohio. Ron spent a summer on a YCC crew improving many Ohio State Parks. His crew ranged from Cleveland inner-city youth to Appalachian farm kids. His YCC experience helped him develop leadership and personal relationship skills, and guided him to pursue his education and career choices in natural resources. He is honored to be part of providing these same opportunities to the youth of New Mexico.
VACANT – Governor Appointee
Maria Lohmann, State Land Office Designee – Maria was born and raised in Gallup, NM where she graduated from Gallup High School, and worked for the Gallup – McKinley County Youth Conservation Corps building trails at the High Desert Trail System and at Red Rock Park. Maria went to the University of New Mexico where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science, and her Master’s Degree in Community and Regional Planning. She moved to Santa Fe in 2013 to work for Santa Fe County Open Space and Trails Program, where she gained experience in developing recreation opportunities, managing natural resources, and promoting outdoor stewardship. In 2023, Maria joined the New Mexico State Land Office as the Outdoor Recreation Program Manager. Maria lives in Santa Fe with her cat, Howie.
VACANT – Children, Youth and Families Department Designee
VACANT – Public Education Department Designee
Meeting Minutes